110% Surrendered?: A Look Back at 2009

Showing posts with label A Look Back at 2009. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Amazed.

I don't think that I will ever forget that day.

The day that I couldn't breath for over three hours.

I was looking at pictures on facebook tonight and just...

was amazed.

Amazed at how the Lord has grown me these past two years.

Amazed at the lessons I have learned.

Amazed at how amazing it is to fall in love with Jesus.

Amazed that the Lord truly does have reasons for when hard things happen in our lives.

Amazed that although Jesus never promised life would be easy-

He promised He would be with us every step of the way.

Amazed.

I am also amazed at how many times I doubt my God.

He has done so much for me.

He has proven His faithfulness to me time and time again.

He holds the universe in the palm of His hand.

When I think of how mighty He truly is-

I am amazed at how often I choose to try to handle my problems on my own.

I am amazed at how often I try to merely fit Him into my life instead of building my life around Him.

I am amazed at how often I put God in a box-

thinking that my problems are either too big, or too small, for Him

(THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE)

to handle.

When I look at how sinful, rebellious, and wretched I am-

I am amazed that my Savior still chose to die in my place on that cross.

I am amazed that He loves me-in spite of me.

I am amazed.

So question:

What has amazed you lately?

Friday, January 8, 2010

I am so, So, SOSOSOSO excited introduce this new series on singleness with you all! Just to clarify-
FOR THIS SERIES: ALL QUOTED MATERIAL WILL BE ITALICIZED.
I just think that will make it easier to differentiate my words versus the people I am quoting (and there will be quite a few quotes let me tell you!)

I am currently reading an amazing book by Leslie Ludy called "Sacred Singleness" and have been so blessed with it that I have decided to start a series ,based on the book, highlighting the main points of each chapter and then including my own personal findings. I have not really written on the subject of singleness lately but I was one of the people that was certain I would be married at 18 and pregnant at 19 :) Well I am 19 and neither of those have come to pass and God has seen fit to make it so that there really are not any prospects right now. Until a few weeks ago I had allowed discontentment to creep into my heart and instead of living a victorious single life for my Lord I was living a mediocre one that was causing a lot of compromise. So I CHOSE to not live like that anymore and asked Him to take away the discontentment and all the problems it was causing and replace it with a spirit of complete surrender and trust in the fact that HE IS IN CONTROL! I was content to just wait around but now…I really believe that the Lord has called me to minister to others via missions. I am going to school for nursing. I am planning a short terms mission trip. I am ministering to other single girls. Does this mean that I am not lonely sometimes…yeah I am but…those are the times that I just have to surrender it once again to my Lord trusting in His timing and CHOOSE to live each day faithfully fulfilling the callings He has for my life right now as a single girl and reading this book has really encouraged me in that as I hope it will encourage you.

God has been taking me on quite a journey this past year especially in regards to singleness. In a post dated Wednesday, February 11, 2009 I wrote these words:

One thing that I have always wanted to be is a wife and mother. The Lord started asking me a few months ago if HE was enough for me. The sad thing was that for the longest time He was not. When I truly surrendered my ALL to Him however He did become enough.

"Lady in Waiting
is not about finding the right man,
but becoming the right woman.
The lady in waiting
recklessly abandons herself
to the Lordship of Christ,
diligently uses her single days,
trusts God with unwavering faith,
demonstrates virtue in daily life,
loves God with UNRESTRICTED devotion,
stands for physical and emotional purity,
lives in security,
responds to life in contentment,
makes choices based on her convictions,
and waits patiently for God
to meet her needs."

The whole waiting patiently for God to meet my needs...yeah, God is so faithful and I am in just in awe that He would love and care for someone like me :) So I am purposing in my heart to continue to live each and every single second of my day for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but ALSO waiting patiently on Him for His timing of things. I am so grateful I serve a patient God!

I absolutely love that poem! The thought of loving God with UNRESTRICTED DEVOTION. WOW what an AWESOME thought! To be able to look back on our single years and be able so say that we lived those years with UNRESTRICTED DEVOTION to the Lord!

Is that even possible? I mean I have asked that question a million times in the past year especially.

CAN SINGLENESS REALLY BE A SACRED AND JOY-FILLED TIME? I mean so often it can be so hard and lonely watching others pair off and being well...alone. Can even that time be sacred and joy-filled?

The simple answer...

YES IT CAN!

So here comes the next question:

HOW?

The simple answer...

God has made us for Himself and our hearts can never know rest and perfect satisfaction until they find it in HIM. (Hannah Hurnard)

It is all about HIM! In HIM ALONE can that void in our hearts be filled. In HIM ALONE. I absolutely love this poem and I know that I have shared it with you all before but another time won't hurt I don't think:

On His Plan For Your Mate
Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But God says to a Christian, "No, not until you are satisfied and fulfilled and content with living, loved by me alone, with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to me alone. I love you, my child, and until you discover that only in me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings.

"I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow me to give you that most thrilling plan existing, one that you can't imagine. I want you to have the BEST! Please allow me to bring it to you. You just keep watching me, expecting that satisfaction, expecting the greatest things, and know that I Am. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait!

"Don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look around at the things others have received. Don't look at the things you think you want. You just keep looking off and away up to me, or you'll miss what I want to show you.

"And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you would ever imagine. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working this very minute to have both of you ready at the same time), until you are both satisfied exclusively with me and the life I have planned and prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me...and this is perfect love.

"Dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with me and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty and perfection and love that I offer you with myself. Know that I love you utterly, I am God Almighty. Believe and be satisfied."

--Author Unknown

To be satisfied with JESUS CHRIST alone...wow...what a glorious thought :) And that is what we will be studying in the upcoming segments SO PLEASE STICK AROUND! :)

In the meanwhile I wanted to share with you an article (it has two parts) from YLCF that REALLY encouraged me and got me thinking:

Marriage Is Not My Highest Calling-Part 1
Marriage Is Not My Highest Calling-Part 2

DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THOSE LINKS AS MUST READS!!

And last but certainly not least I would love to direct you over to one of my newest blogging friends Katie. She is the author of a really amazing blog called God Will Bless Those Who Wait which is described as "Thoughts for those who have decided to wait on God and trust Him for their mate." It is really been encouraging to me and I am sure will encourage all of you :)

So are you ready to start on this journey? I am! I truly have been shying away from mentioning ANYTHING about being single but lately I have just had this new FREEDOM and I really believe that the Lord wants me to share it with all of you :)

Let the journey begin...

Miss any part of the series? Read them here:
Can Singleness Really Be Sacred?-Chapter 1
Can Singleness Really Be Sacred?-Chapter 2
All Good Things Must Come To An End

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Day #7: Something big

Hey all! I totally stole this amazing idea from my friend Kristen over at Bringing Up Benjamin. She did this for a vacation her family took and I thought it would be neat to do the same thing :) Jen and I are out in IL meeting my boyfriend Kelly's family and extended family as well as visiting some friends, so I have prepared a few Blog posts to publish while I'm gone! I hope you enjoy this random glimpse's of my life while I am gone and I PROMISE to have a lot of stories and pictures when I get back :)

Make sure you are following my Twitter for short updates throughout the trip! Remember, I'll be back January 9th!

This was originally posted Monday, March 30, 2009:

I have been wondering lately...

I wonder what would happen if Christians world wide started to pick up their crosses daily and follow after Christ?

I wonder what would happen if surrender became a daily occurance?

I wonder what would happen if we started to dream about impossible things and then trusted the Lord to make them happen?

I wonder if...

These past week I have been bowled over so many many times with the releazation (again and again and again) of the AWESOME God I serve! Then I started to think about how many times I limit Him in my own mind. A problem comes up or something happens and instead of going directly to Him I try to fix it myself because "God has other things to worry about...this is to small-or big?- for Him". Ok so maybe I do not say that outloud but how often do my actions portray that attitude?

When I think about the God I serve. The God of this universe. The God that SPOKE things into being and created us to honor and glorify HIM. Wow! It just gives me shivers down my spine thinking about the fact that He didn't have to create us...but He did. He didn't have to come to this world...but He did. He didn't have to die on that cross and take our sins upon Himself...but He did.

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!!!

So how are we serving Him? Are we living each and everyday in awe of what He has done? Are we content in Him alone?

I made the mistake for many years of thinking that I would find completion for my life in anything but the one thing that really would complete me. However! I serve an awesome God and He has shown me that we will never find anything (people, possesions, status, money) to complete us outside of HIM. HE ALONE CAN SATISFY!

So, I guess what I am getting at is: WHAT is it that we are living for? Are we living to honor and glorify God in everything we do? Or not? Are we living to do great things for our God NOT BECAUSE OF US but all because of HIM allowing us?

I listened to this song for the first time today. It struck a chord somewhere deep inside of me.

"Something Big"
John Waller

"I wanna see something I've not seen
Something so big
I wanna be a part of something great
Greater than me

It's time to dream big dreams
To see Your vision
Become reality
‘Cause it’s for You, by You, those who
Love You wanna do

Something so big
It’s destined to fail without You, Lord
It’s gonna fail without You, Lord
Something so great
It takes a miracle to do
We, Your children
Wanna do something big for You

We, yes, we are gonna sing a brand new song
Something so strong
We will be the sound that wakes the dawn
Something so loud

It’s time for breaking through
‘Cause there are no limits
For he who holds the truth
When it’s for You, and by You, and those who
Love You wanna do

Something bigger, something greater
For the glory of Your splendor
Something bigger, something greater
Tell the story of Your wondrous love
Your wondrous love
Those who love You wanna do

As long as we live, let us do something so big for You"

“Attempt something so big for God that it is sure to fail without Him.” I’m not sure who first spoke these words, but they’ve never left
me. I believe the desire to be a part of something greater than ourselves is built into the core of each one of us. That’s the reason I left
Georgia to become the worship pastor of a church plant in south Denver called “Southlink.” I believe that this song will strike a chord
with many visionary dreamers who are contemplating stepping out and doing something that only God can truly do through them. In his
book, “Visioneering,” Andy Stanley said, “A divine vision done God’s way and in God’s timing is sure to succeed.” (John Waller)

I wonder what would happen if more of us teenagers and young adults started to STEP OUT in faith and do hard things and even seemingly impossible things for our God?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Day #6: Take some time

YOU *insert your name here* ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Day #5: Ready to be Challenged?

Even if we are not necessarily called to foreign missions what are we doing here? It is so easy to just stay in our own little comfortable Christian bubble and to not even make that much of an effort to reach the lost! What she said about only ONE man in a TWO HOUR radius being unsaved...HOW MANY PEOPLE IN OUR TWO MILE RADIUS' ARE UNSAVED? May God give us HIS heart for this dying people ALL AROUND US that are DESTINED for an eternity in hell!

What are we doing with the privilege we have been given-the GOSPEL?

What are YOU doing?

Monday, January 4, 2010

Day #4: A Dig Through the archives: 5-4-09

I have been blogging for almost three years now but have only just recently began to have a greater number of followers. Because some of you my dear readers are "new" to my blog I thought it would be neat if every once in awhile I went back through the archives to share things with you that you might otherwise may not ever get to read.

What a summer this was. One of the hardest things was when my Mom had a seizure. Her first one in seven years. On Monday, May 4, 2009 this is what I wrote:

I had posted this article already but due to some things that happened this weekend I thought that I would re post it just to give you a little bit of history:

“My question to you is this: Does God really have a reason for when things go wrong?
My Mom has epilepsy. In other words, she has seizures. Watching my Mom have seizures was one of the worst things my siblings, Dad, and I ever had to go through. Because we normally do not have any idea when or where seizures will occur, many of my childhood days where filled with “What if?”
I remember being in a grocery store. My Dad and younger sister were on a “date”. Dad takes each of us kids out once a month to spend time together. Mom had my two other siblings and me with her. I was probably only five years old. I remember going down an aisle when a lady asked Mom if she would like some coupons. Mom thanked her, and they began to chat. One moment they were just having a normal conversation and the next Mom was on the floor, bleeding. I remember sobbing as I hid behind the cart. They called the ambulance and then they took Mom away. I felt so helpless and alone, but there was nothing anyone could do to help. I still shudder when I go down that aisle.
Mom did have medicine but sometimes it did not work. One summer she had five seizure within two months, and that is very unusual. Every time she woke up, however, the first words out of her mouth were, “Thank You Jesus.” Inside I would think, Why, Why thank Him?
The last seizure Mom ever had was nothing compared to the previous ones. It was Mother’s Day, and we had family over. We had just sat down to eat when I looked over at Mom and realized that she was having a seizure. I yelled. Dad and my uncles jumped up to help her and then started to move her to a bed. I was in the living room just settling down to have a good cry when all of a sudden, Mom woke up. This was very unusual because of the type of seizures she normally had. Normally when Mom woke up, she would be very tired and unable to move.
After that, Mom decided to go to a different doctor. He gave her some new medicine, and she has not has a seizure since. We believe God healed her. Still, in the back of my mind, I always wondered, Why?
During the summer of 2006 I was given the opportunity to serve as a counselor in training at a small Christian camp in Bliss, New York. During the second week, a junior week for kids ages eight to eleven, I was asked to lead the nightly Bible study. My topic was how God protects us even at a young age, so He can use us later in life for His purposes. After the girls had somewhat settled down, I began to share with them this story about my Mother and me.
When I was a newborn baby my Mother would always make sure that Dad was in the same room when she gave me a bath. This was just in case she had a seizure. One day she decided to give me on while he was in bed napping. For some odd reason she changed her mind and decided that we would take a nap instead with Dad. She had a seizure while in bed. When she awoke, she realized what had happened. If she had given me a bath as planned, I would have drowned, But I did not drown because God had a purpose for me. He did not allow Mom to give me a bath as she had planned because He was saving me for something bigger.
As I was telling the story, one of my campers unexpectedly started to sob. The other counselor took her outside the cabin while I continued my Bible study. However, I could not get over the fact that she had begun to cry when I mentioned seizures. Just as I was wrapping up my devotional, they came back. We prayed and then I went over to her bunk. I can not convey the depth of emotion that went though me as I knelt by her bunk and talked to her. As she cried, I felt again the uncertainties, the terror, the hurt; except this time it was not me but another little girl who was hurting. I found out later that her little sister had died because of a seizure by suffocation in her pillow.
I went out onto the porch after I had calmed and prayed with her. Then the tears began to flow, not because I was sad although that emotion was present, but because my question of Why had been answered. God know what that little girl needed. She needed not only sympathy but someone that could truly empathize with her because I had been there. She need someone who knew.
To answer the question, “Does God really have a reason for when things go wrong?” The answer is an emphatic yes. Sometimes He allows us to experience something so that later on we can help another person going through the exact same thing. He has a purpose for every single thing that happens to each of us. We must trust Him to fulfill that purpose in His time.”

I wrote that article about two years ago. It seemed like closure at the time but, in the back of my mind, I always wondered what would happen the next time Mom had a seizure. I worried about how would I react? I wondered if I would be able to stay and help Dad with Mom OR if I would run away like I had every other time.

This last Friday I had a chance to answer those questions. This last Friday my Mom had her first seizure in seven years.

In all the years that Mom has had seizures I had never seen one in length. The reason? I had always run away...when Mom has seizures they are what are called Grand Mal Seizures
(see link for information).

I was sitting at the table in our dining room catching up on some things on the computer and waiting for Mom and Danny so we could go shopping for Jen's surprise 16Th birthday party which was happening the next day. Mom was on the phone with one of her friends in the kitchen. All the sudden I heard a terrible yell/scream. I looked up and saw Mom shaking uncontrollably. All the sudden she fell into the wall and then fell over, hitting her neck on the stove before collapsing onto the floor.
Dad came running and we got a pillow for under her neck and then waited for the 1st stage to end (the shaking uncontrollably/loss of consciousness). I was sick inside and truth to be told-I just wanted to go and curl up in a corner like I was three years old again...BUT I couldn't.

It all came down to a choice once again:
A). Run and hide
B). Step up, trust God, and help my Dad (who was incredibly sick with the flu).

I almost ran away...I really did...BUT then the Lord gave me this burst of strength (it was not any of my doing) and instead I willed myself to go in the kitchen and help dad with Mom.

I ended up sitting with her and holding her hand while she woke back up. Because of the exertion that a seizure puts on my Mom's body when she is waking up she has temporary amnesia and is very confused. That I think was the hardest part for me personally...

Here was my best friend in the entire world, my confident, my MOTHER lying on the kitchen floor completely helpless.

I held her hand, stroked her hair and while choking back tears told her that I loved her and everything was going to be all right. I watched her struggling to regain consciousness not being able focus on anything or anyone. It was as though my Mom wasn't even there. She couldn't breathe very well and she didn't even know who I was (the temporary memory loss) even though she was staring straight at me. That was what killed me...and Jen and Dad (they were there by this time as well).

As I was kneeling on the floor ,choking tears back, it was as though I was transported back in time and I was the 5 year old hiding behind the grocery cart sobbing because my Mommy was bleeding on the floor and then being loaded up in an ambulance and taken away while we were left behind. I was the little girl sobbing in the parking lot because I couldn't bear to see my mom being hurt. I was the little girl that had no control over circumstances and was left alone so many times to wonder why this had to happen to US? I was the little girl terrified out of my mind because my Mommy was hurt and I COULDN'T DO A THING ABOUT IT.

Time just seemed to stand still. After about 20-25 minutes Dad was able to get Mom into the bedroom so she could sleep (she was so weak which is another after effect called Todd's Paralysis which lasts about 48 hours after the seizure). That is when I made my decision-I was no longer 11 years old (the age I was when she had her last seizure seven years ago). I needed to step up and be Mom's hands and feet, be strong for my Dad (he was so sick) and be an example to my siblings. I realized that I could not run away anymore...I needed to grow up...

The next few days were hard. Mom still wanted to have Jen's 16Th surprise birthday party so I just...shut down emotionally in a way. For the rest of Friday and the start of Saturday I just put up a wall and acted as though everything was fine. I was dying inside but I just did not know how to handle it any other way...

Then Saturday morning came...I was sooo stressed trying to get the house ready for the party which was at 12pm and I kept seeing/hearing Mom having her seizure in my mind. Around 9:30am I just completely fell apart. Then the NEATEST thing happened. I was sitting in the living room attempting to hide my tears and eat cereal and my younger brother Danny came over and without saying a word took my cereal bowl from my hands and then just hugged me while I sobbed against his chest. It was as though in a space of 10 seconds he went from a boy to a man...I can not express how much my family means to me...it was so neat to be comforted by my little brother! My dad heard me crying and came into and Danny passed me off to him after a few minutes and then he held me and cried/prayed with me. That was just...the most amazing healing experience ever. It was as if with every tear I cried the years of fear and pain just began to melt away...after 18 years healing had finally begun.

The rest of the day went better. I was still struggling with the images from the day before but having the kids come over to Jen's party was just such a blessing! We had some friends stay over the night and yesterday was absolutely wonderful for all of us. I hadn't really laughed Friday or Saturday and when I did it was not real...honestly it was either laugh or cry and because there were a ton of teenagers at our house I chose to laugh :) Anyhow, our friends stayed the night and God used my adopted younger brother (I can't say little because...he towers over my 5'3 frame) to De-stress me! God knew that I needed someone to make me laugh until my stomach hurt and then some! It was a total blessing! Him and so many others...on Friday (right after it happened) My adopted older brother was right there (via phone) to listen to me cry and then he prayed with me and then later on called just to see how I was going. One of my best friends came early to the party and there were so many times I just wanted to go and cry in my room (everything that happened with Mom) and she was just right there encouraging and taking charge and keeping me going...others that called/prayed for our entire family. Some came and helped clean the house! It was just overwhelming the support and prayers that we received from the body of Christ. It made me realize that we were not ALONE (something that terrified me when I was so little).

In the midst of everything...Jesus was right there! He was our strength! He was faithful through it all!

We believe that what caused Mom's seizure was not enough sleep and stress...she is still tired but is recovering well.

GOD IS FAITHFUL THROUGH IT ALL!

You know, these things that come along in life...they build and mold and shape you...if you let them...We serve a God that is there to carry us when we think that we can not go on. HE IS FAITHFUL! He IS IN CONTROL! Do we still wonder why sometimes? Yes! Do we still worry about Mom? Yes! Is God helping us to trust her into His care? YES! Is it a process? Yes!

So there it is...my question of how I would react if/when Mom ever had a seizure again has been answered. Jesus was/is my strength (and our whole families) and He gave me the strength TO NOT RUN AWAY!

I asked my Mom what would be one thing she would want to encourage you all with and she shared this verse:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose".
Romans 8:28 (New King James Version)

If there is one thing I would love to leave in your hearts after reading this post it would be the fact that God works all things together FOR HIS GLORY! No matter what happens in our lives HE HAS A PURPOSE for it! Trials were made with the PURPOSE to strengthen our walk with our God and to make up more like HIM...One of the things that I admire most about my Mom is the fact that in spite of her epilepsy she ALWAYS praises and thanks God...she knows and believes that He has a reason! And even if it is to touch one person and make a difference in their life...she says that is enough for her...

SO this weekend was an ending and a beginning for me personally. An end to a chapter of my life that was plagued with fears. A beginning of a chapter that will include healing. God has done so much! I am in complete awe of Him! No matter what may come your way...turn to Him...He will CARRY YOU THROUGH! He is so faithful!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Day #3: A look Back-Easter 2009

So, just sitting here thinking, I know that that song is the "typical Easter song" but have you ever just sat and pondered the words?

"God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!"

When I think about those words...chills just run down my spine! WE SERVE A LIVING GOD!!! The God of the UNIVERSE desires to have a PERSONAL relationship with each and everyone of us...it just is mind boggling! WOW! SO yeah, definitely in awe of my Savior tonight :)

This past year there were some times were I didn't have a clue what was going to happen to me or to others around me YET I had a confidence because I KNEW He holds the future...my future...and YOUR future. Are you struggling with uncertainties right now? What about insecurities. Just be reminded that HE HOLDS YOUR FUTURE.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Day #2: Something to Ponder

Friday, January 1, 2010

Day #1: A look back

This past year has been a roller coaster ride to say the least! I have learned that even when life has its ups and downs I serve a God that is constant no matter what happens in our lives. He is always constant. He is always faithful. He is always there to cling to. He is an AWESOME GOD!
This year was full of numerous hospital trips and some pretty uncertain times heath-wise for myself personally. The second picture from the left on the bottom in the collage was one of my most scary hospital experiances. You can read more about that experience HERE.
I remember the day we found out what was wrong with me. After thinking that I might have Multiple Scoliosis for about a month as well as a myriad of other possibilities the FREEDOM I felt on finding out the truth after a year is just...indescribable!
So many memories.
WHAT A FAITHFUL GOD!

What do you have to praise Him for today?

Thursday, December 31, 2009

See you in nine days!

Hey all you fellow bloggers out there!
Yuppers, tomorrow morning Jen and I will be
leaving the house a little before 4am, getting
on a plane at 7am and will be in IL at 11am.
I am so excited to go :)
Just a reminder to stop by the next nine days
as I have scheduled nine blog posts for you all
with memories and lessons learned from the year
2009.
Speaking of memories:
This past week I was able to see one of my dear
friends for the first time in a year! I was also
able to meet her boyfriend David for the first
time and completely approved ;)
Danny, Jen, her Mom, little sister Tabitha, Elisha,
David and I all went tubing at the park.
IT WAS BITTERLY COLD!
I felt really bad for David because all the rest
of us are used to our winter weather but he
is from California and has lived in Florida so...
to say that he was completely frozen
is quite the understatement!
Despite the cold, we had an amazing time making snow angels,
tubing (although one of two of our tubes popped after one time
down the hill), having a snow fight (well multiple
snow fights) during which Elisha and I came out the
victor against David (HE STARTED IT by throwing snow IN MY
FACE so what is a girl to do? I threw it right back in his face!),
going on a snow hike, watching David and Danny walk across a
frozen pond, and then rolling down the huge
sledding hill. It was such a fun day :)
Here are some pictures Elisha's Mom took and I
blatantly stole from facebook (LOL):

L-R: Tabitha, David,Elisha,Me. This was David's first look at the "Grand Canyon of the East"IT WAS SO COLD OUT but still beautiful :)

I
would
NEVER
talk
to my
wonderful
boyfriend
on the
phone
during
his
lunch
break
while
my
dear
friend
and
her
boyfriend
struggled
to blow up
the tubes
with their
mouths and
my
siblings
stood and
laughed
at
their
attempts.
NOPE,NOT ME! :)

Poor David
was SO COLD!
So Tabitha
had the brilliant
idea to take her
socks off and
warm them by
the fire.
So he just pulled
a table
up to the fire
and warmed his feet
up that way!

This is
the first
picture
Beesh
and I
had had
together in
an entire
YEAR!
Notice the coffee.
Well, hot chocolate
for them
and pumpkin
spice cappuccino
for me.

It was such a fun day with so many wonderful memories :)
I am so excited to be making some more wonderful memories in the upcoming days!
God is so good! :)
See you in nine days :)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

STAY TUNED!

Hey all!
So in THREE DAYS (January 1st)
Jen and I are heading
to go to IL to meet my boyfriend
Kelly's family
and extended family
and some more extended family
and some friends.
Needless to say
I AM SO EXCITED!!!
But then I got to thinking
that I will be gone for
NINE WHOLE DAYS
and would not be able
to update this wonderful blog
for all my wonderful readers
SO
I have put together a little
surprise for you all:
EVERY DAY I AM GONE
there will be a post that I
have written beforehand and
scheduled to publish on that
day. I got this idea from my
amazing friend and
fellow blogger Kristen
over at
Bringing Up Benjamin
and thought it would be so
much fun to do with you.
SO STAY TUNED!